Tuesday, March 16, 2010

Here's a view from last year 2009. but International House of Prayer (IHOP) intends to do it again! Praise God!

I read about this earlier and could not find the link I filed, so I can not give credit to where I found this (sorry,forgive me IHOP blogger) but here's what happens:

In Kansas City, each year, everyone is Irish for one day!

This year, an estimated 125,000 people, mostly young families, filled Broadway Blvd in Midtown, KC to be Irish and watch the 36th annual St. Patrick’s Day Parade, one of the largest in the nation.

For the International House of Prayer in Kansas City (IHOP–KC), the day begins at 7AM as hundreds of people gather for prayer and last minute instructions before hitting the streets. Their goal is to engage the gathering parade crowd with the truth about Jesus Christ. Varied evangelism strategies include:

• St. Pat tract distribution teams• Street preacher, musician and heckler teams• St. Pat survey teams• Prophetic evangelism teams• Video interview teamsBefore the parade began at 11AM:• The pre-parade evangelism teams spoke personally to over 10,000 people• They passed out 6,000 St. Pat tracts• Numerous people received prophetic words that opened their hearts• Healing miracles were reported right on the parade route• Over 50 people prayed to receive Christ as savior and Lord

One of the outstanding features of the parade for the last three years has been a float entry by IHOP–KC’s Forerunner Evangelism department.

Saint Patrick, a striking figure, bearded and in humble monk’s robe stands atop a fifteen-foot green mountain, grasping an eight-foot cross draped in red. From high above the parade route he speaks to the crowd, disarming them with his Irish brogue and folksy warmth before thundering out his 30–45-second sermonette via a hidden miniature mic and P.A. system.

“Welcome to my parade, Kansas City! Tis I, Saint Patrick! I’m so glad you’ve come to celebrate with me today! And aye, tis a beautiful day the good Lord has given us, isn’t it!

My friends, do you know Him and do you know how much He loves you? The Lord doesn’t change. He loved the people of Ireland in my day and He loves you folks here in Kansas City in the same way. He is calling you! Can ye hear His voice? He is saying: Turn my friends, turn from your sinful ways and come to Me. Yes, Kansas City, turn to Jesus, turn to Him!”

The massive crowd is dumbstruck in silence for the most part, caught off guard by the preaching of Justin Perry, this year’s St. Patrick. Immediately following the homily to repent and believe, the unsuspecting parade-goers are in for a second surprise.

Suddenly the attention of the crowd is drawn to 600–700 musicians, singers and dancers from the prayer room of IHOP–KC, as they begin belting out an upbeat, Gaelic version of Todd Agnew’s worship chorus Grace Like Rain.

“Hallelujah, grace like rain falls down on meHallelujah, all my stains are washed away, washed away”

The worshipers are a sea of Irish green stretching out for almost a hundred yards. The crescendo of worship arises to God as thousands of streamers are hoisted high and sway rhythmically together in the breeze. Like King David of old, these worshipers unashamedly sing and shout, dance and twirl before the Lord in the streets of Kansas City. This cycle is repeated fifteen times as the float works its way slowly down the 1.2-mile parade route.

People’s faces betray them. Some parade-goers cannot look or listen without turning away for shame, while others are suddenly radiant in the fact that this story is theirs also. Some of them break into song and dance as we pass by.

PRAISE THE LORD! St. Patrick is still touching souls for the Lord through the hands and feet of the people who follow Jesus and know the importance of salvation found only through Jesus Christ! What a beautiful way to reach people!

Another blogger shares over here (but this was from 2008) and I know I had a recent one... I found it HERE

Posting this the day before, hoping that if you're in the area, you can make a trip over and participate...

Friday, March 12, 2010

Under the Trafficking Victims Protection Act of 2000 (TVPA) the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) is designated as the agency responsible for helping victims of human trafficking become eligible to receive benefits and services so they may rebuild their lives safely in the U.S. As part of this effort, HHS has initiated the Rescue & Restore Victims of Human Trafficking campaign to help identify and assist victims of human trafficking in the United States.

The intent of the Rescue & Restore campaign is to increase the number of identified trafficking victims and to help those victims receive the benefits and services needed to live safely in the U.S. The first phase of the campaign focuses on outreach to those individuals who most likely encounter victims on a daily basis, but may not recognize them as victims of human trafficking. By initially educating health care providers, social service organizations and the law enforcement community about the issue of human trafficking, we hope to encourage these intermediaries to look beneath the surface by recognizing clues and asking the right questions because they may be the only outsiders with the chance to reach out and help victims. (please click on the link to read more)

In their CAMPAIGN TOOL KITS they provide (pdfs) for health care workers, social service organizations and law enforcement officers (unique to their job role) but in these times, I believe that we each need to be more aware, especially on tips for identifying and helping trafficking victims. Here are the ones for SOCIAL service organizations, which I guess the church would fit under as well:

The brochure is available in different languages. I would like to share with you some of what the brochure LOOK BENEATH THE SURFACE tells us:

CAN YOU RECOGNIZE CHILD VICTIMS of HUMAN TRAFFICKING AMONG THE PEOPLE YOU HELP EVERYDAY?

The brochures is divided into 5 sections besides the cover with the question:

(1) an overview of human trafficking

(2) identifying child victims of trafficking

(3) communicating with child victims

(4) understanding child victims

(5) support of child victims

IF YOU SUSPECT A CHILD IS A VICTIM, CALL THE NATIONAL HUMAN TRAFFICKING

RESOURCE CENTER AT 1.888.373.7888

in this post, I am sharing (2) because I think "it takes a village", all of us, alert and aware of those around us, ready to help, not shirk back as onlookers afraid to STOP this atrocity. We need to say "NO MORE".

Children who are victims may be mistaken for prostitutes, runaways, migrant farm workers, or domestic servants. Child victims of trafficking may be found in: commercial sex, domestic servitude (servants), sweatshop factories, construction, farming and landscaping, fisheries, hotel or tourist industries, panhandling, janitorial services, or restaurant services...but also because they are does not necessarily mean they are victims. By looking beneath the surface, picking up on the right clues and asking the right questions, you may uncover children who are being exploited.

Children exploited for labor are often hunger and malnourished to the extent they may never reach their full height or they may have poorly formed or rotting teeth.

Children exploited for sexual purposes may show evidence of untreated STDs including HIV/AIDS, urinary tract infections and kidney problems.

Children who are victims can also be identified by environmental factors, including whether the child is living at the workplace or with an employer, living with multiple people in a cramped space, or not in school, attends school sporadically or has significant gap of schooling (in the U.S.).

Forced labor may expose children to physical abuse or leave signs such as scars, headaches, hearing loss, cardiovascular/respiratory problems and limb amputation. They may also develop chronic back, visual and respiratory problems from working in agriculture, construction or manufacturing.

Traffickers use various techniques to instill fear in victims and to keep them enslaved. Some traffickers keep their victims under lock and key. However, the more frequent practice is to use less obvious techniques including:

Debt bondage - financial obligations, honor-bound to satisfy debt

Isolation from the public - limiting contact with outsiders and making sure that any contact is monitored or superficial in nature

Isolation from family members and members of their ethnic and religious community

Confiscation of passports, visas and/or identification documents

Use or threat of violence toward victims and/or families of victims

The threat of shaming victims by exposing circumstances to family

Telling victims they will be imprisoned or deported for immigration violations if they contact authorities

Control of the victims' money, e.g., holding their money for "safe-keeping"

The more you learn, the more you can do to STOP more children from becoming victims and even women that have been trafficked and caught in this trap. We need to stand up and let them know we care, we accept them and we will rise up against this billion dollar business because they are worth it... WE ARE WORTH IT... OUR CHILDREN ARE WORTH IT. God sees VALUE in every one! Being aware calls us to be responsible to help and knowing helps us to pray better.

Wednesday, March 10, 2010

After reading Rachel's post today at Stirring the Deep, I was inspired and decided I could no longer wait to share some of the sites that have deeply awakened me and motivated me to get involved.

Here and there I have shared on this blog MISSIONS of different ministries or organizations doing something to make a difference. This week on my regular blog, we are sharing various studies on the Names of God, one with EL ROI and the other with JEHOVAH RAPHA.

You may wonder how does that matter with this topic of Human Trafficking? or Chelsea King?

It matters because many of us can fight this battle from our homes, through our blogs, through our support, through our PRAYERS. Praying is a MISSION and INTERCESSION is a gift of the Holy Spirit. To pray in the Name of God and from scriptures brings power and it cannot return void. However, the reason is that the author of "Praying the Names of God", Ann Spangler shares about this atrocity on Thursday's study of EL ROI, God who sees. GOD DOES SEE and HE DOES CARE!!!

I thought at first I would share the first site that caught my attention when in 2007, God called me into working with women and yes, even children, trapped in this vicious cycle and I had no idea of the atrocities or the trap of the enemy in all of this and the 9.5 billion dollar industry and connections and atrocities like this. It really did stir me way down deep!

So I've decided to share some of the sites that I know of that give a list of ideas that you possible could do. And hopefully they will not object to me listing them here as well.

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I recently discovered Diane Scimone, a journalist that has seen this atrocity of child trafficking in the vicious human trafficking cycle and is doing something about it. She started an organization Born to Fly International and began a project to STOP child trafficking before it begins. Her personal blog is here and BORN to FLY INTERNATIONAL: start by viewing her video "Get Angry Please"

On both sites she lists ways that YOU can get involved! She has 21 Ways to Get involved on "Born to Fly" that you can read; and on her side bar of her personal blog, she is up to 43 and asks you to share your ideas by emailing her.

...and what will help you is putting yourself in the place of the parents of one of these children, victims, loss of life like Chelsea King and the 470 + girls and women that have died violently as"The Killing Fields"shares in a border town between the USA and Mexico and the 1.2 million children being trafficked each year for sex around the world. Human Trafficking in Mexico link [Be warned this is very alarming to hear the truth, but you need to know it...just listen to the beginning]

Here's where my VISION and MISSION is in MEXICO to stop this; to prevent this; before the "tourists" or parents get a chance to ruin another child's life. The corruption is everywhere, from top officials, to police meant to protect, to the legal and social system to the family that can't make ends meet; extreme poverty that makes you so desperate, you'll do whatever it takes.

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SO WHAT CAN YOU DO?Here's a complete list of 21 ideas provided by the A21 CAMPAIGN:

Write a blog about why we should fight human trafficking; paint a picture and display it publicly; use a sports event to raise awareness and funds; write a song or talk about human trafficking at a concert; create a short film and post it on www.youtube.com. Use what you do best to make a difference!

INVEST IN FREEDOM

One way you can join The A21 Campaign is by financial support. Your donation will be used to fight human trafficking through legal fees, as well as costs related to healthcare and housing for rescued victims. If you would like to join The A21 Campaign by making a financial contribution or becoming a regular monthly partner, please click here.

Buy products made by survivors of human trafficking. Here is one place you can find jewellery that is hand-made by survivors: www.nightlightbangkok.com. You can also support survivors by donating items for newly rescued victims at our shelter in Greece. One suggestion is new clothes such as pajamas, socks and other essentials as survivors often come to us with only the clothes on their back. A current need in our shelter is for bags to give the girls when they leave the shelter so that they have a beautiful bag to carry their belongings in. If you would like to make a donation directly to the survivors in Greece, please contact us.

VOLUNTEER

You can also join The A21 Campaign by becoming a volunteer. Some of the areas that you can get involved are: Research, Legal Advice in Greece, Counseling, Medical Advisor/Doctor, Vocational Training or Graphic Design. If you would like to volunteer with The A21 Campaign at some capacity, please contact us.

FAST ON THE 21ST

On the 21st day of every month, fast for the work The A21 Campaign is doing in Greece and around the world as together we stand in agreement to see the injustice of human trafficking abolished.

START AN AWARENESS GROUP

Start an awareness group at your local high school or university. Get your campuses involved in spreading the truth about human trafficking to your community. Check out free handbooks you can use at www.notforsalecampaign.org.

BUY FAIR TRADE PRODUCTS

Find out how you or your company can support fair trade and help reduce the demand for products made by slaves. Visit www.fairtrade.org.uk for more details.

SPONSOR THOSE AT RISK

Because poverty is a major contributor that can lead to human trafficking, sponsoring a child or woman in poverty-stricken areas that are also ranked as high origin countries for trafficking, can help make a difference. Check out this organization, www.compassion.com, to see how you can start sponsoring someone in need today!

Not For Sale: The Return of the Global Slave Trade--and How We Can Fight It - by David Bratstone.

The Natashas: Inside the New Global Sex Trade - by Victor Malare

Terrify No More: Young Girls Held Captive and the Daring Undercover Operation to Win Their Freedom - by Gary A. Haugen and Gregg Hunter

The Road of Lost Innocence - by Somaly Mam

Ending Slavery - by Kevin Bales

Recommended movies (for mature audiences only):

Human Trafficking (2005)

The Jammed (2007)

Trade (2007)

Taken (2008)

Lilya 4-Ever (2002)

STAY CURRENT

Visit the newsroom at www.thea21campaign.org regularly to stay up to date with the latest news articles about human trafficking. Let us know if you find any new articles to add to the newsroom!

PRAY

If you would like to request a free bookmark to keep in your Bible with specific scriptures you can pray, please click here to contact us. Alternatively, you may download the A21 prayer guide by clicking here.

WORK THE WEB

Get the word out by posting the A21 awareness video on your website, MySpace, Facebook or personal blog page. You can also join The A21 Campaign's Facebook cause and invite your friends to help spread awareness. Click here to join right now.

MOTIVATE THE MEDIA

Encourage your local newspaper or television station to cover stories about human trafficking, and what your community can do to help stop it.

STAY ALERT

If you see something suspicious in your area, make sure you speak up by informing your local law enforcement. To find out what to look for, visit http://www.acf.hhs.gov/trafficking.

WORK FOR FREEDOM

Consider a career as an abolitionist. There are many great organizations that are in need of skilled and trained professionals to help advance the cause of justice. Here is just one of many to consider:http://www.ijm.org/careers.

MAKE CONNECTIONS

Please contact us with your feedback, ideas, possible contacts, and important information.

HELP VICTIMS ESCAPE

Leave local rescue hotline numbers in public places around your city. For ideas and free downloads, visit http://www.hhs.gov/.

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SO WHAT ARE YOU WAITING FOR???

GET INVOLVED... DO YOUR PART TO

STOP TRAFFICKING NOW!

LET DEEP STIR DEEP and CAUSE YOU TO ACT

and

"Today as you pray, cry out to God EL ROI from whose eyes nothing is hidden. Ask Him to reveal Himself as "the real God" to the millions of women and children around the world who are being victimized by the hidden slavery of sex trafficking "~ Ann Spangler, "Praying the Names of God"

DO THEY SEE JESUS IN ME?

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We were ALL made for a mission...God has a unique purpose & plan for everyone.

ALL MONTH, Every Week, Every Day...it's a lifetime experience!

This is where we share MISSIONS that have been placed on our hearts or in our lives. For God has given each of us a purpose & a unique plan to fulfill.

If you are new to Mission4Monday, please click here for more info.

A very special thanks to those of you (you know WHO you are) that faithfully have posted a MISSION4MONDAY whether you remember to link or not I appreciate it and if you are a regular and I notice, I have been linking you to the LINKY!

You are welcome ALWAYS to leave in the current comments a link to anything you share MISSION wise.

Thank you for placing M4M button on your posts, I so appreciate it! YOU each have presented FABULOUS ideas weekly!

Nancie was a participant in the very beginning, but unable to currently blog actively. Yet she still has much good material to read in her previous posts along her sidebar of a worldwide health mission.

Mission 4 Monday sadly ended last year as a meme, but I continue to share here and I know others also share various MISSIONS, especially the people above. Check them out!!! Encourage and perhaps join us.

Since my life is a MISSION, I share whenever I can. There are many of you, who do community involvement/church events, volunteer opportunities or know missionaries that you could share to motivate others. Motherhood and Homeschooling are MISSIONS and callings!!!

Mission4Monday is no longer just a meme but my blog on MISSIONS

About Me

Born in St. Paul, MN. My home is in Stillwater, MN, but for the previous 20 years I lived in Mexico with my family of 3 dogs serving as led.
My REAL passion is JESUS Christ! I love the Mexican people, culture and Spanish language. I am living my Purpose Driven Life and have a vision of seeing God's children freed from injustices, poverty, hopelessness, and saved by the aMazing Grace of God!

Thank you ALL for participating when you were able & sharing your mission & heart with us!

I still believe that each one of us "were made for a mission" and an opportunity crosses our path each week to serve others as a MISSION. Open your eyes & see the needs around us!

I still believein the great value & worth of sharing MISSIONS!

I still believe that you do not have to be a missionary "sent out in the world" to be a missionary. Your home, your neighborhood, your community is filled with needs to be met with the passion & compassion of Jesus Christ. One day a week or month, take the time. It may be the first "short term" mission that God moves in you & touches others with His love.

I still believe"all" that Rick Warren shared in "The Purpose Driven Life" especially Purpose #5!WE WERE MADE FOR A MISSION!

I still believethat I will continue to share MISSIONS put on my heart right here.

"God has given you a Life Message to share..."

and I know that HE gave me a LIFE MESSAGE andI hope to share that through what I post here. I will continue to update on ministries as I have and those in my sidebar.

Tears of the Saints

I needed to remove the Vimeo because it says for PRIVATE USE! It's still worth seeing and all of the others available through Mission Mobilizer. It looks like "Tears of the Saints" is no longer available.

So I have replaced it with this song by Leeland & YouTube by lkittycat

IN THE PAST HOUR:

1625 children were forced to live on the streets

1667 children died from malnutrition or disease

115children became prostitutes

257 children were orphaned because of HIV/Aids.

It gets worse...

2 billion people in the world today have never ever heard of Jesus. 1% of missions financial support, goes to reaching those unreached people. 30,000 people starve to death every day.